Theme 2 - Industrial and agricultural change, 1917-85

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How did the government exercise control over the economy between 1917 and 1928?

The nationalisation of industry

  • Lenin had no real plan for the transistion, so resorted to trial and error
  • They first resorted to 'State capitalism' - a transitional phase which kept on bourgeoisie experts
  • There was also the issue of retaining control once the peasants had the power
  • The key measures of Lenin's initial policiy were:
  • October 1917- 'Land decree' abolished private ownership of land - pleased peasantry
  • November 1917 - 'Decree on Worker's control' - factories controlled by workers
  • December 1917 - Banks nationalised - merged into 'People's Bank of the Russian Republic'
  • Power given to the workers and peasants was bad for economy - inflation and less production
  • December 1917 - Supreme Council of the National Economy (Vesenkha) set up to supervise economy
  • Was a tension between proletariat and government

War communism and the NEP

Why was War Communism introduced?

  • Ideological - They saw WW1 as a destruction of the old world which gave way for Marxism. Nationalism was a way of realising this dream. It was a liberation from capitalism
  • Response to economic collapse - Drastic measures were needed to win civil war after WW1
  • Reaction to early Bolshevik excesses - The initial Bolshevik decrees didn't work very well

What were the key features of War Communism?

  • Nationalisation - only workplaces with less than 10 workers were exempt
  • All industry placed under control of the state through Vesenkha
  • Hierarchical structures in industry - managers instilled discipline into workers
  • Military-style discipline - Execution for those who striked. Volunteering expected
  • Private trading banned - Trade controlled by state; however black market thrived
  • Money replaced by batering because of inflation
  • Forcible requisitioning of food - Seized food from peasants which led to tension and violence
  • Rationing - Despite food shortages, workers in city and Red Army were fed
  • War communism helped Red Army win war, but left economy in state of collapse

Why was the NEP introduced in 1921?

  • Economic considerations - Industry and agriculture production was very low. There was a huge famine and soliders had to be resettled into civilian life
  • The unpopularity of War Communism - rationing was unpopular among bourgeoisie and peasants. Introduction of managers unpopular with workers
  • The Tambov Rising - peasants reacted violently to the seizing of grain. Revolt was put down by a huge military force. This was among other revolts that showed the need for change
  • The Kronstadt Mutiny - Previously loyal sailors revolted because of the increasing control of the Bolsheviks - shocked Lenin as they were big part of revolution

What were the key features of the NEP?

  • End to requisitioning - replaced by taxation so peasants could sell remaining food at a profit
  • No more forced programme of collectivisation
  • Basically a compromise with the peasantry
  • Small-scale industry privatised
  • In SOEs, piecework and bonuses were used to raise production
  • Reintroduction of currency in 1921
  • Legalisation of private trading (to stop black markets)
  • Development of 'Nepmen', small-scale business owners

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